How are we going to put trillions of dollars on-chain? w/ Sheldon Hunt (Founder @ Sundial Protocol)
In this episode of Overnight Success, I sit down with Sheldon Hunt, a founding member of EMURGO—one of Cardano’s original entities. We unpack the philosophical and technical rifts between Ethereum and Cardano, trace the evolution from Bitcoin to Ethereum to Cardano, and dive deep into what true decentralization really looks like—especially in Cardano’s approach to governance. If you’ve ever wondered: What really happened when Vitalik pitched Ethereum in Hong Kong What it takes for blockchains to handle trillions on-chain Why scarcity matters (and why Ethereum doesn’t have it) —then this episode is a must-listen. Episode Highlights with Timestamps [00:00] – Introduction: Who is Sheldon Hunt & EMURGO’s role in Cardano [00:42] – Vitalik’s original Ethereum pitch in Hong Kong [01:53] – Scarcity wars: Why Cardano caps supply and Ethereum doesn’t [02:40] – Ethereum’s nonprofit roots vs. Charles Hoskinson’s business-first vision [03:30] – Cardano’s community-first design and token distribution [04:25] – Intersect and the shift to decentralized governance [05:20] – The risks of handing over $30B in infrastructure to “the mob” [06:10] – Balancing privacy and mass adoption: Midnight chain + real-world use cases [07:25] – Why Cardano has never gone down (and why it matters) [08:20] – Final thoughts: Security, uptime, and building for trillions on-chain About Our Guest Sheldon Hunt was part of the founding team at EMURGO—one of Cardano’s three core entities alongside IOG and the Cardano Foundation. Today, he’s building Sundial Protocol, a Layer 2 solution bringing programmability to Bitcoin by bridging it with Cardano. The focus: secure, decentralized, cross-chain interoperability between BTC and ADA. Resources Mentioned: Cardano [https://cardano.org/] Sundial Protocol [https://www.sundialprotocol.com/] EMURGO Website [https://www.emurgo.io/] Cardano Foundation [https://cardanofoundation.org/] Midnight Privacy Chain [https://midnight.network/] Intersect: Cardano’s Member-Based Org [https://www.intersectmbo.org/]
From Wall Street to VC: Why DeepSeek is enabling the global AI race w/ Esther Wong (3C AGI Partners)
Today, I sit down with Esther Wong — Founding Partner @ 3C AGI Partners and former Managing Director at SenseTime. In this conversation, we discuss why AI inferencing could break the grid, the global race for sustainable AI infrastructure, and why DeepSeek completely enabled the rest of the world to catch up in the AI race. If you ever wondered about: • Why AI infrastructure — not applications — is the real opportunity • How unsustainable our electricity usage is if everyone uses AI daily • Why AI models, chips, and data centers must all evolve to scale • And how a 90% pay cut to join a startup could be the best decision of your life — this one’s for you. Episode Highlights with Timestamps [00:00] Esther’s career risk: Green card fears and career advice that changed everything [01:20] Co-founding SenseTime: Raising $6B+ and building China’s largest AI platform [03:00] Betting on a ground-up, proprietary AI vision while pregnant — and taking a 90% pay cut [04:30] Lessons from startup life: Why 2 years in a startup taught more than 20 years in banking [05:50] The coming electricity crisis: Why inferencing will overwhelm today's grid [07:10] What is “sustainable AI”? — 4 buckets for making AI viable long-term [09:00] Why Esther is backing AI infrastructure over applications About Our Guest Esther Wong is the founder and CEO of 3C AGI Partners, a venture firm focused on global AI opportunities. She was a founding member of SenseTime, where she led capital markets and helped raise over $5B. With 20+ years in finance, she’s held senior roles at Cazenove, CICC, Barclays, and Bocom. Esther holds an Executive MBA from the University of Chicago Booth and serves on youth development boards in Hong Kong. Resources & Links Mentioned Esther’s LinkedIn [ / esther-wong-76a6a410a ] 3C AGI Partners Linkedin [ / 3cagi ] 3C AGI Partners Website [https://3cagi.vc/]
Pioneering Play-to-Earn w/ Gabby Dizon (Co-founder @YieldGuildGames )
Today, I sit down with Gabby Dizon, co-founder of Yield Guild Games (YGG). We talk about Gabby’s journey from building the first games in the Philippines to pioneering the concept of play-to-earn and Web3 gaming. Gabby shares the early days of Web3 gaming, how AI and decentralized work models are converging, and why starting with community-first was essential for YGG’s growth. We also discuss the challenges of building a web3 company during crypto cycles, crypto Twitter, and the future of online on-chain work opportunities in emerging economies. About Our Guest Gabby Dizon is the co-founder of Yield Guild Games (YGG), the world's largest Web3 gaming guild. A pioneer of play-to-earn gaming, Gabby is passionate about the intersection of community, gaming, and blockchain. He is also an active investor in the decentralized gaming ecosystem and a strong advocate for creating online and on-chain earning opportunities for communities across Southeast Asia, Latin America, and beyond. If you're interested in the intersection of gaming, blockchain, and the future of work, this episode is a must-listen.
How Helium Could Decentralize the $9 Trillion Mobile Industry w/ Frank Mong (COO @ Helium)
In this episode, we sit down with Frank Mong to unpack the rise of Helium and what it means to decentralize wireless infrastructure. Frank shares the origin story of Helium, what it took to scale during the crypto boom, building open-source hardware, what it means to truly own infrastructure, and how crypto can be the foundation for everyday consumer experiences—even if they don’t know it. Episode Highlights with Timestamps [00:00] Podcast intro – Frank Mong on scaling Helium [00:42] Discovering Helium through Khosla Ventures [01:27] The unexpected job interview that turned into a partnership [02:14] Why honesty—not IoT expertise—landed Frank the role [02:54] Lessons from corporate life: stock options, politics & promotion [03:39] The original Helium mission: cheap, global IoT connectivity [04:11] 450,000 daily phones, 70K hotspots & 40TB+ daily data [04:50] Vision: flipping the $9T mobile industry to be owned by the people [05:18] Sales advice for technical founders—there’s no magic, just empathy [06:02] Why knowing your audience is the most underrated skill [07:00] The hustle mindset: “this is our year or we’re done” About Our Guest Frank Mong is the COO of Helium, a decentralized wireless network that aims to replace traditional telcos with community-built infrastructure. With over two decades in cybersecurity and enterprise tech, Frank now leads Helium’s mission to democratize mobile infrastructure—starting with IoT and now cellular. Previously, he held leadership roles at companies like Palo Alto Networks and Hortonworks. Resources & Links Mentioned Frank’s Twitter [https://x.com/fmong] Frank’s LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/frankmong/] Helium’s Twitter [https://x.com/helium] Helium’s Linkedin [https://www.linkedin.com/company/heliumnetwork/] Helium’s Website [https://www.helium.com/]
AI & Decentralized Storage w/ Clara Tsao (Filecoin Foundation)
In this episode, we sit down with Clara Tsao—entrepreneur, former CTO of the US department of Homeland Security, and founding officer of the Filecoin Foundation. Clara dives deep into the role of decentralized storage in preserving critical data, from archiving freedom of information requests to combating link rot. We talk about AI, attribution, and how decentralized infrastructure can help creators and institutions alike build a more transparent internet. This one’s for the builders who care about transparency, digital preservation, and building a better internet from the ground up. Episode Highlights with Timestamps [00:00] Intro — Clara’s family roots and uploading her grandmother’s music to Filecoin [08:00] From tech policy to crypto: The early days [16:00] Joining the U.S. government and working on election security [21:00] Why decentralized storage matters: link rot, public archives, and global data access [32:00] Use cases in war zones and journalism — capturing truth [34:00] Attribution, cold cases, and surfacing lost information with AI [55:00] How to get started building on Filecoin & grants available [56:30] Final thoughts — why great talent flocks to decentralized infrastructure About Our Guest Clara Tsao is a founding officer at the Filecoin Foundation and former Chief Technology Officer at the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. A longtime advocate for a safer and more open internet, Clara has co-founded the Trust & Safety Professional Association, advised global initiatives like Tech Against Terrorism, and worked with Mozilla on emerging tech policy. Her work sits at the intersection of digital rights, open data, and decentralized technology. Resources & Links Mentioned Clara’s Twitter [https://x.com/tweetclarita] Clara’s LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/claratsao/] Filecoin Twitter [https://x.com/filecoin] Filecoin Foundation Twitter [https://x.com/filfoundation] Filecoin Foundation Website [https://fil.org/] IPFS
The Future of Digital Identity with Sandy Carter (Unstoppable Domains)
Today, I sit down with Sandy Carter, COO of Unstoppable Domains, a leader in the decentralized identity space. In this episode, Sandy shares learnings from over 2 decades of being a high level operator at IBM, AWS and Unstoppable domains.We also dive into the growing opportunities for decentralized identity, the role of NFTs in this new paradigm, and how Unstoppable Domains is enabling the future of Web3 through partnerships and innovation. Sandy also shares her passion for diversity in tech and how she's working to empower more women in the Web3 space. Episode Highlights with Timestamps: [00:00] Sandy’s entrepreneurial origin story [03:54] Duke & Harvard: The importance of schooling [06:27] Takeaways from IBM - why it’s the best management school. [09:11] Amazon’s high-performance culture [13:55] Extracurricular community support - the importance of diversity [16:49] Web3 aha moment [20:29] Building unstoppable domains as part of the early team [22:51] Why blockchain changes lives [26:28] Building in a Web2 X Web3 world About our guest Sandy Carter is the COO and Head of Business Development at Unstoppable Domains, a company focused on building digital identity for the decentralized web. She’s played a key role in forming over 900 partnerships to help bring traditional companies and communities into the Web3 ecosystem. Before Unstoppable Domains, Sandy held leadership roles at AWS and IBM, working across emerging technologies like AI and blockchain. She also founded Unstoppable Women of Web3, sits on several advisory boards, and is a bestselling author and frequent speaker on tech and innovation. Her work has earned her multiple industry awards, and she holds degrees from Duke and Harvard. Resources & Links Mentioned: Sandy’s Linkedin [https://www.linkedin.com/in/sandyacarter/] Sandy’s Twitter/X [https://x.com/sandy_carter] Unstoppable Domains Linkedin [https://www.linkedin.com/company/unstoppable-domains/] Unstoppable Domains Twitter/X [https://x.com/unstoppableweb] Unstoppable Domains [https://unstoppabledomains.com/] PRESENTED BY DRAPER UNIVERSITY HOSTED BY CHRIS JOANNOU
Yat Siu's Vision for Web3 and True Digital Ownership
Today, I sit down with Yat Siu, founder and executive chairman of Animoca Brands—one of the driving forces behind Web3 gaming and digital property rights. We trace Yat’s journey from hacking together 3D software with ex-Atari developers, to launching some of Asia’s first ISPs and now ultimately defining the future of blockchain-based gaming with Animoca Brands. Yat unpacks the waves of innovation he’s lived through—dotcom busts, pandemics, mobile booms—and the lessons that shaped his vision for Animoca Brands. We dive into the philosophy of digital ownership, the fight for user rights in the internet age, and why Web3 isn’t just about technology—it’s a movement. About Our Guest Yat Siu is the founder and executive chairman of Animoca Brands, a global leader in Web3 gaming and digital property rights. Animoca Brands is pioneering the use of blockchain technology to empower users with true ownership of digital assets, driving innovation across gaming, culture, and finance. Through investments in projects like The Sandbox, Axie Infinity, and OpenSea, Animoca has become a key architect of the open metaverse. Before founding Animoca Brands, Yat was a tech entrepreneur who helped build some of Asia’s earliest Internet ventures, including Hong Kong Online and Outblaze. With deep roots in software, gaming, and internet infrastructure, Yat is a passionate advocate for digital freedom, financial literacy, and the belief that users—not platforms—should own the future of the internet. Episode Highlights with Timestamps: [00:00] Overnight Success: Intro [01:00] Childhood entrepreneurial influences: Compuserve, living in Austria & Hong Kong, extreme communism vs extreme capitalism. [03:37] Atari’s heyday, losing the gaming wars and building his first business with ex-Atari team members. [10:41] Finding product market fit in the 90s. Building ISPs (Hong Kong Online), ASPs (Outblaze) [15:21] Surviving the dotcom downturn, building on Linux, selling in Asia vs the West. [18:25] Biggest learnings: growing a business during SARS, dealing with blackmail and the importance of staying true to your principles as a founder. [23:06] Building Animoca brands, the boom of mobile game development and getting deplatformed [28:12] The opportunity in Web3, NFTs and becoming an early investor in Web3 projects. [31:46] Web3 “aha moment”: Challenging the dominance of internet conglomerates [34:30] The philosophy behind Web3 - digital capitalism, digital property rights, financial literacy [41:30] Crypto X Politics [44:24] Web3 meets AI: attribution for original work, building into the network. Resources & Links Mentioned: Yat Siu’s Twitter/X [https://x.com/ysiu] Animoca Brands Twitter/X [https://x.com/animocabrands] Animoca Brands [https://www.animocabrands.com/]
Unlocking Bitcoin's Full Potential with Muneeb Ali (Stacks)
Today, I sit down with Muneeb Ali, co-creator of Stacks and a pioneer in the Bitcoin Layer 2 space. In this episode, we explore Muneeb’s journey from academia and deep computer science research to building one of the most critical infrastructures in Bitcoin's evolving ecosystem. We explore how Stacks brings scalability and programmability to Bitcoin through a secure Layer 2. Muneeb breaks down building on Bitcoin—from early projects like BNS to Ordinals, inscriptions, and the rise of Bitcoin-native NFTs and DeFi. Episode Highlights with Timestamps: [00:00] Intro: Welcome to Overnight Success [00:38] Origins story: Commercializing research, hardcore computer science & Startups [07:30] Web3 ‘Aha moment’ - getting into decentralization [09:37] Building Stacks: the thesis behind Stacks & the problems of Bitcoin Layer1 [12:11] Breaking down how building on Bitcoin works - Inscriptions, NFTs & the future of dApps [17:08] Growing Stacks [19:31] The future of the Bitcoin community. BTC vs ETH, Riding bear-bull markets, the challenges of scaling BTC. About Our Guest Muneeb Ali is the co-creator of Stacks, a Bitcoin Layer 2 platform designed to bring smart contracts and decentralized applications to Bitcoin while preserving its security and decentralization. With a background in computer science and a PhD from Princeton, Muneeb has been at the forefront of Web3 infrastructure, pioneering ways to unlock Bitcoin’s full potential. Before Stacks, Muneeb worked on early decentralized identity and naming systems like BNS (Bitcoin Name System), laying the groundwork for programmable layers on Bitcoin. His mission is to build a user-owned internet on the most secure blockchain in the world, making Bitcoin not just a store of value but a foundation for a new generation of apps, DeFi, and digital ownership. Resources & Links Mentioned: Twitter/X [https://x.com/muneeb] Stacks Twitter/X [https://x.com/stacks] Stacks [https://www.stacks.co/] OVERNIGHT SUCCESS PRESENTED BY DRAPER UNIVERSITY HOSTED BY CHRIS JOANNOU
Navigating the Korean Web3 Market with Ryan Kim (Hashed)
Today, I sit down with Ryan Kim, Founding Partner at Hashed, one of the most influential Web3 venture firms in Korea and Asia. With deep roots in the early days of crypto and a front-row seat to the growth of the Asian blockchain ecosystem, Ryan shares unique insights into how the Korean Web3 landscape has evolved—both culturally and technically—and what founders need to understand to succeed in this market. We explore how Hashed grew from a group of early crypto believers into a globally recognized venture fund, and how Korea became a critical node in the Web3 world. From regulatory nuances to shifting consumer behaviors, Ryan unpacks the dynamics shaping the next chapter of decentralized innovation across Asia. Whether you're a founder, investor, or just curious about where the future of Web3 is headed, this episode offers a thoughtful look into the forces shaping the ecosystem. Episode Highlights with Timestamps: [00:00] Childhood Mathematics & Working inbig data companies. [03:49] Getting started in web3 [06:24] David vs Goliath: Web3/Open Source vs Big Tech. [08:54] Venture Syndicates. HODL. [11:29] Kimchi Premium. How Hashed became the #1 platform in South Korea. [15:27] The Hashed team. How they support web3 startup founders. [19:10] The Korean Web3 market. Riding the bear & bull waves. About Our Guest Ryan Kim is the Founding Partner of Hashed, a globally recognized Web3 venture fund. What started as a personal experiment in crypto soon grew into a deep belief in the power of decentralization and community-led innovation. That conviction became the foundation for Hashed—a fund dedicated to backing visionary founders in Korea and across the global Web3 ecosystem. Resources & Links Mentioned: Ryan’s Twitter/X [https://x.com/0xryankim] Hashed Twitter/X [https://x.com/hashed_official] Hashed [https://www.hashed.com/] OVERNIGHT SUCCESS PRESENTED BY DRAPER UNIVERSITY HOSTED BY CHRIS JOANNOU
Brand New Worlds: Sebastien Borget on NFTs, the Metaverse, and the Future of Engagement
Today, I sit down with Sebastien Borget, co-founder and COO of The Sandbox, a leading decentralized gaming platform. In this episode, we dive into the evolution of The Sandbox and why digital ownership is redefining the gaming industry. We discuss the challenges of building an open metaverse, the role of NFTs in empowering creators, and how blockchain is shaping the future of virtual economies. Sebastien also shares insights on interoperability, user-generated content, and the vision for a more decentralized and player-driven internet. If you're curious about the future of gaming, Web3, and the open metaverse, this one’s for you. About Our Guest Sebastien Borget is the co-founder and COO of The Sandbox, a leading decentralized gaming platform that empowers creators to build, own, and monetize their gaming experiences using blockchain technology. The Sandbox is a virtual world where users can create, trade, and engage in immersive experiences powered by NFTs and the metaverse. Prior to The Sandbox, Sebastien co-founded Pixowl, a mobile game development studio known for titles like The Sandbox Evolution and Goosebumps HorrorTown. His experience in gaming, blockchain, and digital ownership has positioned him as a key advocate for the open metaverse, where users have control over their digital assets and creative experiences. Resources & Links Mentioned: Sebastien’s Linkedin [https://www.linkedin.com/in/borgetsebastien/]Sebastien’s Twitter/X [https://x.com/borgetsebastien]The Sandbox’s Linkedin [https://www.linkedin.com/company/thesandbox-game/]The Sandbox’s Twitter/X [https://x.com/TheSandboxGame]The Sandbox [https://www.sandbox.game/en/] Episode Highlights & Timestamps [00:00] Sebastien’s entrepreneurial origin story [02:48] Getting acquired by Animoca Brands [03:37] Building a better experience for builders in Web3 & the metaverse [05:58] Why major brands and IPs succeed in the gaming industry [07:49] Convincing major IPs to lean into user-generated content & Web3 [11:30] Why competing IPs want to exist side by side in the metaverse [12:50] Educating brands on NFT technology as a communication tool [17:05] Transitioning to Web3 [19:58] What’s next for The Sandbox
DePin, Scams & Decentralized ML
Today, I sit down with Greg Osuri, founder and CEO of Overclock Labs - the creators of Akash Network. In this episode, we explore the origins of Akash Network and why decentralizing cloud computing is more important than ever. We discuss the limitations of centralized cloud providers, the role of blockchain in creating open and censorship-resistant systems, and how tokens can sustain open-source projects. We also break down the layers of decentralized networks, the future of DePIN, and the realities of Decentralized Machine Learning (DML). Episode Notes Episode Highlights with Timestamps: [00:00] Podcast Intro [01:04] Naming Akash Network [03:12] Building software as a teenager & the early days of cloud computing [05:55] Problems with centralized cloud computing - the thesis behind Akash Network [11:07] BitTorrent, Merkle Tree, and the foundations of blockchain [14:32] Tokens as a solution for open-source software [18:56] Scams in the early phase of AI x Blockchain - why all listed projects should be open source [22:24] Feudalistic AI societies, the importance of access to compute, and why a decentralized network of compute and cloud is even more essential today. [29:36] Why decentralized networks are impossible to be controlled by bad actors & why some L1 aren’t truly decentralized. [37:37] The layers of Decentralization - Onion analogy & Decentralized Machine learning [45:54] Understanding the tradeoffs with DML, performance vs privacy. About Our Guest Greg Osuri is the founder and CEO of Overclock Labs, the creators of Akash Network. Him and his team are building Akash Network, a P2P marketplace for cloud computing - creating a decentralized cloud computing network. Prior to Akash Network, Osuri founded AnglelHack, a developer community platform, and Gridbag, a data management company. These ventures provided him with experience in building technology platforms and addressing challenges in data, computing and developer experience. Resources & Links Mentioned: Greg’s Linkedin [https://www.linkedin.com/in/gosuri/] Greg’s Twitter [https://x.com/gregosuri] Akash Network [https://akash.network/] Messari [https://messari.io/] Gensyn [https://www.gensyn.ai/] BitTensor [https://bittensor.com/] Fetch AI [https://fetch.ai/]Lensa [https://lensa.app/]
Building beyond hypecycles & Taxi 3.0 w/ Firdosh Sheikh (Founder & CEO @ DRIFE)
About Our Guest Firdosh Sheikh is the CEO and co-founder of DRIFE, a decentralized ride-hailing platform leveraging blockchain technology to empower both drivers and riders. With a background in Chartered Accountancy, she transitioned into the startup world, bringing her business acumen to disrupt traditional industries. Under her leadership, DRIFE has expanded its operations to Dubai and India, aiming to revolutionize the ride-hailing industry by offering a more transparent, equitable, and sustainable model. About DRIFE DRIFE is a decentralized ride-hailing platform built on blockchain principles, aiming to empower both riders and drivers by eliminating intermediaries and providing better ownership and incentives. DRIFE operates on a zero-commission model, giving drivers 100% of the fare while offering affordable rides. The platform uses an auction-based pricing model, letting drivers and riders set fair prices based on supply and demand. DRIFE's $DRF token ensures secure transactions and drives loyalty and incentives. Resources & Links Mentioned: DRIFE [https://www.drife.io/] [https://www.linkedin.com/company/drifeofficial/] [https://x.com/Drife_official] Follow and stay up to date with Firdosh Sheikh [https://www.linkedin.com/in/firdosh-sheikh/] [https://x.com/Firdosh_Drife]
How will blockchain disrupt real estate? w/ Yael Tamar (Founder & CEO @ SolidBlock & DIBS)
About Our Guest With a background in law and technology, Yael Tamar has become a leader in blockchain innovation, empowering asset owners to tokenize real estate and democratize investment. Under her leadership, SolidBlock successfully tokenized major properties. She’s passionate about blockchain adoption and is now expanding her technology to tokenize assets beyond real estate. Since the recording of this podcast she has now expanded her technology to tokenize assets beyond real estate. Yael is currently building DIBS, a multi-broker network for the secondary market of private company shares, offering secure, transparent, and compliant Web3-powered transactions. About SolidBlock SolidBlock provides an all-in-one platform that enables asset owners to easily tokenize their real estate holdings. This process breaks assets into digital shares, allowing investors to trade them. They made history by tokenizing the world’s first commercial property in Aspen, Colorado, raising $18M for the renowned St. Regis Aspen Resort. Now, SolidBlock is partnering with real estate projects globally and working to grow their network by collaborating with real estate companies, municipal projects, and investors. Resources & Links Mentioned: SolidBlock [https://www.linkedin.com/company/solidblock-co/] [https://x.com/SolidBlockCo] Follow and stay up to date with Yael Tamar [https://www.linkedin.com/in/yaeltamar/] [https://x.com/yaeltamar]
The Web3 X AI Revolution w/ Cory Hymel (Former VP Product & Research @ Gigster, VP Research & Innovation @ Crowdbotics)
About Our Guest Cory Hymel is a seasoned technologist and innovator with a track record of building and scaling impactful tech solutions. He started his journey in computer science, creating Xbox games and riding the wave of iOS mobile app development, before making his mark in the startup world. Cory spent pivotal years at Gigster, where he spearheaded the company’s Web3 initiatives, growing the vertical from zero to 18% of the company’s annual revenue. Throughout his career, he has been deeply involved in exploring how emerging technologies like blockchain and AI can drive innovation and solve real-world problems. Beyond his work at Gigster, Cory is a thought leader in blockchain, AI, and the future of digital ownership. He regularly shares insights on how these technologies intersect and shape industries, solidifying his reputation as a visionary in the tech space. About Gigster Gigster is a technology company that connects businesses with world-class software development teams to create custom applications at scale. By blending automation and an extensive network of talented developers, Gigster simplifies the process of building high-quality software solutions.Known for their ability to rapidly deliver innovative projects, Gigster has helped startups and enterprises transform ideas into reality. With a strong emphasis on emerging technologies like blockchain and AI, Gigster has positioned itself as a leader in enabling businesses to stay competitive in an ever-evolving digital landscape. Resources & Links Mentioned: GigsterWebsite [https://www.gigster.com/] Linkedin [https://www.linkedin.com/company/gigster/] Follow and stay connected with Cory Hymel Linkedin [https://www.linkedin.com/in/cory-hymel/]
From 0 to $1M ARR w/ Founder-led Sales: Tal Zackon (Co-founder & CEO @ TRES Finance)
About Our Guest Tal Zackon is the co-founder and CEO of Tres Finance, a Web3 financial data platform that simplifies crypto financial operations for businesses. Before founding Tres Finance, Tal gained valuable experience as a Principal at F2 Venture Capital and General Manager at SigmaLabs Accelerator. These roles gave him deep insights into the challenges startups face, especially in managing financial data. His expertise in venture capital and startup acceleration has been instrumental in Tres Finance’s rapid growth. The company has secured over $18 million in funding and driven innovations like the Financial Data Lake (FDL), which integrates data from both traditional banks and digital asset platforms. About TRES Finance TRES Finance is a cutting-edge financial technology company revolutionizing how organizations manage Web3 financial workflows. Their platform acts as an enterprise-grade financial data lake, enabling teams to seamlessly handle processes like reconciliation, balance calculations, audit preparation, and reporting for digital assets.Founded in 2022 and headquartered in Tel Aviv, TRES Finance has raised $18.6 million to date, including an $11 million Series A round in December 2023. Their robust platform supports CFOs, treasury teams, DeFi analysts, and executives by providing 100% asset visibility, onboarding on-chain and CeFi data sources within hours, and ensuring data integrity across operations. Resources & Links Mentioned: Follow and stay up to date with Tal Zackon: LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/talzackon/] Twitter/X [https://x.com/TalZackon] Learn more about TRES Finance: Website [https://tres.finance/] LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/company/tresfinance/] Twitter [https://x.com/TresDotFinance]
Building NFT marketplaces for governments around the world w/ Nikita Ngan Nguyen (Co-founder @ NFTify)
About Our Guest Nikita operates two Web3 businesses: She is the Founder & Chief Business Officer of Ekoios Technology (EkoTek ) a leading blockchain and AI consulting and services company in the Asia-Pacific region. Secondly, she is the Co-founder and CEO of NFTify, a no-code platform that enables businesses and creators to establish customizable NFT marketplaces without extensive coding knowledge. Resources & Links Mentioned: Nikita on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/nikitangannguyen/] Nikita on X/Twitter [https://x.com/NganNikita] Nftify on Linkedin [https://www.linkedin.com/company/nftify/] Nftify on X/Twitter [https://x.com/nftify_official] OVERNIGHT SUCCESS PRESENTED BY DRAPER UNIVERSITY HOSTED BY CHRIS JOANNOU Episode Highlights with Timestamps: [00:45] Introductions [01:24] Background and Nikita’s entrepreneurial journey [06:05] How to be relentless in pushing features [10:35] What is NFTify, how does it work? [12:23] Next wave of NFT trends. [15:40] Feature prioritization & product roadmap [19:00] Navigating the constant changes in the world of web3
Why AI Can’t Replace Human Creativity w/ Matt Wurst (CMO @ Genuin)
How will AI change the creative landscape? From helping creators improve their output to the rise of average content, Matt Wurst discusses how AI tools can enhance human creativity—but they won’t replace it. About Our Guest Matt Wurst is the CMO at Genuin, a platform focused on creating a comprehensive network for brands, creators, and consumers. With extensive experience in both in-house and agency roles, Matt has collaborated with organizations like the NBA, revelation (acquired by Jellyfish), 360i and Mint. Matt’s journey into Web3 began with the desire to return digital ownership to creators and consumers, away from corporate control. Passionate about the intersection of AI and Web3, Matt explores how these technologies are reshaping marketing, communities, and the creative process.
Reclaiming Fan Relationships w/ Matt Alston co-founder @ Bonfire
In this episode, I sit down with Matt Alston, co-founder of Bonfire, to explore how Web3 is transforming the way creators and communities connect, engage, and thrive. From childhood hobbies like gaming and collecting to professional stints at Goldman Sachs and Uber, Matt shares how his journey has shaped his approach to building Bonfire, a platform empowering creators to own their relationships with superfans. We delve into his "Web3 Eureka" moment, discovering the potential of NFTs to disrupt traditional reward systems and redefine brand affinity. Matt explains Bonfire’s mission to move beyond Web2’s limitations, offering creators innovative tools to reclaim ownership of their audiences from centralized platforms. If you’re curious about the future of creator economies, how blockchain is empowering meaningful connections, and why podcast NFTs could change the game for creators, this episode is packed with insights. Tune in to hear from a true Web3 innovator!
Revolutionizing Finance w/ Lars Seier Christensen (Concordium)
In this episode, we sit down with Lars Seier Christensen, co-founder of Saxo Bank and founder of Concordium, to explore his journey from traditional finance to blockchain innovation. Lars shares his entrepreneurial origin story, including owning a bar, building one of the world's leading online trading platforms, and creating a cutting-edge blockchain with built-in compliance. We discuss the challenges and motivations that have driven his success, the lessons learned from setbacks, and the importance of aligning blockchain technology with regulatory frameworks for mass adoption. If you're curious about the future of finance, the role of Web3 in solving real-world problems, and Lars' insights on enterprise adoption of blockchain, this episode is for you. Tune in to gain invaluable knowledge from a visionary leader!
Exploring the SuperWorld with Hrish Lotlikar
Join Chris as he sits down with Hrish Lotlikar, the co-founder and CEO of SuperWorld, a groundbreaking platform that merges augmented reality and web3 to create a digital twin of our world. Hear Hrish's fascinating journey from Wall Street and venture capital to building a company that allows users to create, discover, and monetize AR content anywhere on the planet. Discover how his diverse experiences, from growing up in the US to exploring Eastern Europe and co-founding a successful game studio, shaped his vision for SuperWorld. Explore the innovative ways SuperWorld is being used, from virtual real estate and digital art creation to social impact initiatives in partnership with organizations like the World Bank and UNESCO. Learn how the platform leverages web3 and NFTs to empower users and build community, and discover its potential to serve as a time capsule, preserving historical and future content in specific locations. Don't miss this inspiring conversation about the future of augmented reality and the metaverse!
Beyond the Horizon: Navigating Metaverse, AI, and Entrepreneurship with Dinis Guarda
Join Chris for a captivating conversation with serial entrepreneur and blockchain visionary Dinis Guarda. Hear the incredible story of Dinis's rise from creating magazines as a child to becoming a leading voice in the world of Web3 and the metaverse. Discover how his entrepreneurial spirit was ignited by his father and a childhood immersed in small business, and learn how his early fascination with Bitcoin led him to develop cutting-edge blockchain technology. Explore Dinis's vision for the future of business and cities through his work with Open Business Council and Cities ABC, initiatives that leverage blockchain and the metaverse to revolutionize how we live and work. Delve into his insights on the transformative power of Web3 in fields like fashion and education, and hear his inspiring message about the importance of education, mentorship, and finding real-world applications for emerging technologies. Don't miss this insightful discussion with a true pioneer!
The Story of Filecoin and a Community Driving Change with Lukas Bresser
Overnight Success dives deep into the revolutionary world of IPFS, the decentralized web technology challenging the internet as we know it. Join us as we explore its origins, its impact on Web3, and how it's empowering a global community to build a more accessible and secure online future.
Empowering Lives in the Metaverse with May Mahboob, Founder of MBD Financials
In this episode of Overnight Success, Chris engages in a dynamic conversation with May Mahboob, the visionary founder of MBD Financials, delving into her remarkable journey from early entrepreneurship in New York City to becoming a prominent figure in the Metaverse. Mayboob shares insights into her technological pursuits, particularly in virtual reality and language learning through Techways. The focus then shifts to MBD Financials and its mission of fostering financial inclusion and empowerment in the decentralized realm of the Metaverse Business District. The episode explores the practical applications of immersive experiences, language learning, and a cross-chain NFT marketplace, while emphasizing the project's commitment to combating poverty through education and opportunity. Mayboob introduces innovative concepts such as building credit in the metaverse and creating trust-based digital identities, leaving listeners inspired to join the movement and contribute to the vision of a self-sustainable metaverse economy where individual success is within everyone's reach.
Novelty in NFTs with Matt Fortnow
In this episode of Overnight Success Chris Joannou engages in a captivating conversation with computer scientist and mathematician Matt Fortnow. From his early days at Carnegie Mellon University to navigating the rap scene in New York, Matt's journey unfolds through law school, fantasy sports startups, and eventual deep involvement in blockchain and NFTs. The discussion delves into Matt's diverse career, his recently published book "The NFT Handbook," and exciting projects in the NFT space. Listeners gain insights into the legal considerations surrounding NFTs, the novelty within the NFT landscape, and Matt's enthusiasm for the evolving metaverse and play-to-earn gaming. The episode concludes with a reminder of the power of hard work and dedication in the pursuit of success.
